The Marijuana Grower's Guide
Revision 4 by to kel.landrith@okinfo.uoknor.edu
This is a grower's guide for those folks who already know a thing
or two about growing the dread plant: MARIJUANA.
There are several key factors in growing the optimal or near
optimal Marijuana plant. These factors can be manipulated to
produce different physical variations in any seedstock selected.
THEY ARE:
*01* Light Intensity and Spectrum
*02* Photoperiod
*03* Temperature Cycle
*04* Nutrients
*05* Humidity Cycle
*06* CO2
*07* Pruning
*08* Leeching
*09* Cloning
*10* Stress
Light Intensity And Spectrum
The Light Spectrum should be as close as approximation of
natural sunlight as is available. The Light Intensity should be as
bright as is possible while still keeping temperature in line.
There are several kinds of lights that one can use. As far as cost
and security go, I recommend several vertical fluorescent lights
suspended around the plants with a pair of sylvania SL-100 bulbs
in the center.
Photoperiod
During the GROWTH PHASE, the light period should be a
minimum of 18 hours. The light can be continuous during the
growth phase (24 Hours per Day) with profound effects.
During the FLOWERING PHASE, 12 hours of uninterrupted
light stimulates the production of budding sites for the flowers.
LIGHT CYCLE CHART FOR FLOWERING
DAY HOURS ON HOURS OFF
1X 24
0
2X 23.5
.5
3X 23
1
4X 22.5
1.5
5X 22
2
6 21.5
2.5
7 21
3
8 20.5
3.5
9 20
4
10 19.5
4.5
11 19
5
12 18.5
5.5
13 18
6
14 17.5
6.5
15 17
7
16 16.5
7.5
17 16
8
18 15.5
8.5
19 15
9
20 14.5
9.5
21 14
10
22 13.5
10.5
23 13
11
24 12.5
11.5
25 12
12
I cannot stress enough that during the FLOWERING PHASE,
the dark period should not be violated by any light. It delays
flower development and promotes leaf growth. If you must work
on the plants during this time, allow only as much light as a VERY
pale moon can provide for less than 5 minutes.
Temperature Cycle
The atmospheric temperature should be grown in a closet with
temperatures in the 80's and 90's. However, the closer you get to
the ideal temperature range, the better the buds and the less likely
you are to get male plants.(see stress)
Nutrients
Nutrients should be provided with each watering. A good
GROWTH PHASE mix is 1/4 tsp Peter's 20/20/20 fertilizer per
gallon of aged water. During the FLOWERING PHASE , Peter's
African Violet 12/34/16 fertilizer mixed to the same proportion
works well.
Humidity Cycle
The humidity should be kept high (around 90%) unless over
watering has occurred and the soil needs drying quickly.
Marijuana doesn't like its roots to be wet all the time, so don't
water every day unless the temperature is quite high. If proper
ventilation is maintained, problems like fungus and algae should
be minimal.
Average watering solution usage:
10 days after transplant--------1 Quart (946 ml)
20 days after transplant--------1.5 Quarts (1419 ml)
30 days after transplant--------2 Quarts (1892 ml)
During Flowering--------------1.5 Quarts (1419 ml)
CO2
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) levels should be high, particularly during
the FLOWERING PHASE . Growth rates can be increased
dramatically if the CO2 level is near 700 ppm.
300 ppm (Outside Air)
700 ppm (Ideal)
2000 ppm (Plants Burn)
5000 ppm (Death)
CO2 is cheaply produced by burning Natural Gas. However,
heat and Carbon Monoxide must be vented to the outside air.
CO2 can be obtained by buying or leasing cylinders from local
welding supply houses. Beware! The DEA has asked the supply
houses to provide lists of large CO2 users. If you are questioned,
simply say "I have an old mig welder at the house and I want to
try and patch up my (Lawnmower, car, trailer, etc.). If you find
that you are making lots of trips to the supply house, complain
that your "buddy" keeps leaving the cylinder valve open all night.
This should provide a plausible excuse.
Pruning
To maintain the optimal growth rate, trim all leaves that are
greater than 4 inches long (not counting the stem). A good rule of
thumb is to keep the distance (Internodal Length) between the
leaves/branches on the main stem around 1 inch. The more often
you trim, the slower the Marijuana plant will grow and the
narrower the internodal length. Trimming the growth tip after the
plant is 4-5 leaf sets tall will produce a "Y" shaped plant with two
"arms". Too much trimming will result in poor growth and often
hermaphroditism. Keep pruning to a minimum during the entire
FLOWERING PHASE. (see stress)
Leeching
From time to time, it is beneficial to leach the soil of high
concentrations of salts. The salts come from the fertilizer solution
by means of evaporation. To leach the soil, over water the
growing medium until fluid can be seen above the soil line. Allow
the swampy mess to soak for a few minutes, then pump/siphon
off excess from the "well" at the lower end of the growing area.
Cloning
Next, cut the bottom .5 inch off the end while it is submerged.
Remove the clone from the tub and dip into routine powder and
plant 1 inch deep in a saturated Jiffy 7 pod/Rockwell/oasis block.
Place plantlet in a small tub with perlite sprinkled on the bottom
and .5 inch of the Peter's solution when the cutting is in place.
Place Tub/Planter in a plastic tent to maintain a very high humidity
(85-90%). Place 40 watt fluorescent lamp above the tent. Make
sure that the plants stay wet, but not standing in water by
checking them twice daily. Leave lamps on for 24 hours a day.
After about Two Weeks, Rootlets will appear at the bottom of
the pods. Transplant at this point to growing area, taking care not
to disturb any exposed roots.
Stress
Since Marijuana is very responsive to its environment, big
changes in any of the growth factors (light, heat, food, water,
etc.) can affect not only the growth of the plant but also potency
and even sex.
The whole thing is really a trade-off. If you want bigger, faster
growing buds, then you should increase stress. However, too
much stress will force Hermorphrodisim or even a male from a
normally female plant.
VOTE OR PERISH!
ATTEND CANDIDATES RALLIES AND ASK IF THEY
SUPPORT LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA.
REMEMBER THEY ACT ON WHAT THEY THINK NICE
FOLKS WANT. ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE. IT
WORKS.
Send Comments/Corrections to kel.landrith@okinfo.uoknor.edu
This Document is intended for informational purposes only.
Please feel free to distribute this file far and wide...